Both Vietnamese and Japanese experts at the meeting proposed that more than 800 ancient houses in Duong Lam should be classified based on their need for preservation. They pinpointed the oldest ten houses in Mong Phu hamlet, which are most seriously degraded, for urgent upgrade work.

The experts stressed that the preservation must be carried out in a way that is consistent with the lifestyle of the house owners.

Ha Tay province and Son Tay town should encourage the public to join efforts in preserving the ancient village, which boasts 800 houses made of laterite and molasses dating back to at least 300 years, said the experts.

The seminar was organised by the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Information, Ha Tay province and Japan's Showa University.